Meet the Staff

Associate Vice Chancellor and Superintendent of Maritime

Chief Stauffer oversees both the credit and noncredit maritime programs at the San Jacinto College Maritime Technology and Training Center on the Maritime Campus. His mission is to help more military veterans transition into maritime careers by earning maritime transportation associate degrees and grow the maritime pipeline from high school to college.

Over the course of his 22 years in the U.S. Army, Chief Stauffer became a captain and was deployed three times to the Persian Gulf from 2001-2012, serving as Commander of the U.S. Army's largest ship from 2011-2012. Following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, Chief Stauffer assisted in humanitarian efforts and the reopening of Port-au-Prince as Commander of the U.S. Army’s Harbor Master Team. He served as director of the U.S. Army’s Europe Sea Section in Germany from 2012-2015 before transitioning into his most recent position in the Maritime Operations Branch in Virginia, overseeing 32 U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved courses.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, a Navy Commendation Medal and four Army Achievement Medals. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Leo University and a master’s degree in business administration from Liberty University. His licenses and certifications include a Master 200 GRT Upon Oceans, Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels Upon Oceans, USCG Qualified Assessor and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Directors

Arrowood oversees all aspects of the credit program, which awards the Associate of Applied Science in Maritime Transportation.
Amy is a graduate of Texas A&M University Galveston and has over 20 years experience in the maritime industry. She currently holds a 2nd Mate Unlimited tonnage, Oceans license, as well as 1600 Master. She also holds a Tankership PIC endorsement. Capt. Arrowood has sailed US flag vessels both coastwide and internationally. She completed three years of active duty as a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard and was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. She is approved to teach over 30 maritime courses at San Jacinto College.

Elliott oversees the commercial course offerings that meet industry needs and United States Coast Guard (USCG) requirements.
Mr. Elliott retired from the Navy in 2007. Bryan has over 20 years of successful management, leadership and training experience with a reputation of meeting the most challenging
organizational goals and objectives. A pragmatic and focused individual recognized for making seemingly impossible situation work. Some of his duties and experience include Navy Instructor, LCAC Loadmaster where he managed and trained 60 personnel in loading and discharge of vessels and deck maintenance. On October 2009, Mr. Elliott became a licensed United States Coast Guard 3rd Mate Unlimited. He also worked for Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy as Deck Instructor and IT Manager until 2010, where he became San Jacinto College Maritime faculty and Simulation Operator, and now Director of Maritime Commercial Programs.

Sitka oversees writing and maintaining curriculum that meets and exceeds USCG regulations and ensures compliance with the USCG filing requirements.
Sitkas has over 42 years of experience in the maritime industry. He retired from the Navy in 1994, worked in the offshore industry, inland tugs, container ships, as well as government vessels for Maersk Lines Limited. He holds an unlimited Master upon Oceans, Master of Towing Oceans and Western Rivers license. He holds a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. Captain Sitka has worked as a simulator instructor for MarineSafety International, Director for Instructors and Curriculum Development for Marine Safety Consultants / Tidewater School of Navigation Inc., and Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy LLC. as Vice President of Academics.

Instructors

Born in North Carolina, and raised in Louisville, KY. Capt. Kessler received his passion for boats by growing up on the Ohio River watching the tug boats, steamboat Belle of Louisville and the Delta Queen transit the river. After serving in the U.S. Navy for 4 years, he decided to enter the maritime industry. He started his career sailing small boats in Hawaii, and then moved to run a tuna long-liner as Master in the Pacific for 4 years. John left sailing to open his own maritime school in Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands for seven years. Moving to Seattle in 1988 he worked the small passenger ship companies as Master, sailing from Seattle to Alaska. Captain Kessler has sailed in Japan to as far South as the Philippine Islands and various South Pacific Islands. Leaving sailing in 2000, he joined Pacific Maritime Academy in Seattle as an instructor, then Chief Instructor, then becoming Academic Department Head. Captain Kessler moved to the Houston, TX area in 2010 to accept a position as instructor here at San Jacinto Maritime. John holds a Master of Oceans, 1600 Gross Tons and 100 Gross Tons Sail.

Capt. Curtiss is the first woman, and one of only three people in the world to have earned both of the highest licenses available (Captain and Chief Engineer) aboard Merchant Cargo ships. This achievement has earned her the distinction of an acknowledgement in the U.S. Congressional Record in 2002. Carol is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, at Kings Point, NY graduating in the third year that women were admitted and then worked for 30 years sailing on various ships, including Tankers, Container ships and Car Carriers around the world. Carol can command any ship of any size on any ocean as either a Captain or a Chief Engineer. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued her licenses to operate as both a Master for vessels of unlimited tonnage, upon any ocean, and an unlimited Chief Engineer for propulsion plants of steam, diesel, or gas turbines rated at any horsepower. Here at San Jacinto College Maritime, Carol is USCG approved to teach nearly 50 courses and most often teaches Advanced Cargo, Advanced Stability, Advanced Fire Fighting, and is our primary engineering instructor, which includes classes such as Designated Duty Engineer and Qualified Member of the Engine Department.

Robert “Mark” Lloyd is a graduate of Texas A&M University at Galveston and has over 10 years experience in the maritime industry. He currently holds a 3rd Mate Unlimited tonnage, Oceans license, as well as 100 ton Master. Mark has been master of passenger and private vessels traveling the Gulf of Mexico and east coast. Still currently sailing as Master of the Boardwalk Fantasea, Landry Corp. 117’ motor yacht.

Contact San Jac

The San Jacinto College District is committed to equal opportunity for all students, employees, and applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, pregnancy, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. The following College official has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College's non-discrimination policies: Vice President of Human Resources, 4620 Fairmont Pkwy., Pasadena, TX 77504; 281-991-2659; Sandra.Ramirez@sjcd.edu